Pates

I don't know how we change this. The boys are playing great footy, we had just come off memorable win against the Pies, only game in town. Seriously the fans who could've gone but chose not to need the same rocket up their butts that Pederson got (it's clearly worked for him).

This part of the season was always going to be a big component of where we finish at the end. We have tough matches but I believe we can win them all, this team fears no one. We are one of the toughest teams in the AFL, bruise free footy is but a distant memory.

Respect. Best game I've seen from him, only one "McDonald" kick for the day. Everything else was spot on.

A player like Lewis won't put two bad performances together. Knew he was poor last week, was good this week.

Bloody tough, I kinda feel like a ruckman is more important at Subi particularly having the tall option for kicks but who do we drop? All our talls were fantastic today. Pederson is in career best form. Great selection headaches to have.

I was watching on TV (from London) but yeah it didn't look great from our representation. I know the fans don't like the place but we are playing great footy and I'd go watch them at Vic Park if I had to. The fans need to get over the hatred of the ground especially since we've played some bloody awesome footy there.

In some ways the beneficiary of Pedo's form could be Weiderman. Because this completely takes the spotlight off him and will allow him to develop at VFL level. Pedo is 100% ahead of Weids and is playing great footy right now. I actually would've like to have seen him kick that goal he gifted to Harmes. Would've been just reward for effort. He's clunking some strong marks as well which will be giving him huge confidence.

They got their premiership, maybe the hunger isn't there as much this year. Stringer is an absolute shadow of what he was at his peak. Didn't look like doing anything dangerous all day and his one moment in the sun he completely burnt his teammates.

4 quarter effort, best part was they kept chasing and harassing even when our rotations were reduced. No passengers today, I have a feeling if there are changes it will be player management more than anything. Really glad that Hunt got back out there, he'll be important at Subi, and same for Jetta. Very tough to decide who gets the votes today. Very even across the board. Hibberd was outstanding, Salem didn't waste a disposal, OMac looked exceptional (for me his most even game). A very big win for many reasons, for one I think it now puts us in a position for challenging for lofty spots, our % got a great boost, it was against another finals contender and last years premiers, and without two of our most important players in Gawn and Hogan. 5th spot at this point of the year is fantastic. No fear in this team either, we should've beaten the Eagles on their own turf last year, we can definitely do it this year.

OMac has had a very good game.

That's what we're talking about! A 50pt 3 quarter time lead! Injuries are a concern though, Hunt I feel will be ok, he landed flat on his back so I'm hoping it's just a case of impact pain at the time. Jetta looked ginger going into the break as well, I didn't see him hurt himself. Keep up the good work Dees! Don't be cute and tricky, we got this lead through hard work and determination not chipping it around the backline.

That was a gift of a goal, don't be cute.

You don't get a disposal from kick ins as far as I'm aware. EDIT but great work from Melksham!

That was a huge goal from Watts at the end again with him showing poise to kick a clutch goal. The dogs were able to get some space in that quarter and showed they can score very quickly. They dominated inside 50s and had the ball in their half a lot so our defence has held up very well, with some poor entries from the dogs. On the umpiring I said it earlier but I feel like we are definitely getting a good run from them, interestingly I didn't notice anything during the Pies game and they were up in arms (honestly I think they were having a whinge). This game I think we've been lucky. Bugg's free was soft as butter, one of our goals (Harmes?) was touched and not reviewed, and we got lucky with some 50/50s (highs, in the back, holding the ball). I hope the umps don't feel the need to square the ledger! And for that matter the dogs got a fantastic run in the GF last year so turnabout and all that. Big second half, the players have finally done what we asked and got a healthy lead at half time. Let's make it count and go on with it. If we can win this quarter we can bury the dogs.

When your co-commentator tells you to calm down you know it's not good. The producers really should consider the allegiances before deciding what games they do.

So I've started watching the broadcast and I gotta say if the Pies think last week the umpires were giving us a good run, we're definitely getting a better run this week. Been some pretty questionable decisions/non-decisions.

"What are you gonna do?" Almost feel like it could be a motto we work off for the rest of the year. When the game is up for grabs, what are you gonna do? Petracca answered it, he put in a coming of age performance. Watts answered it, he nailed the pressure goal(s) when the spotlight was on him. OMac answered it, he shook off early errors to play one his best games for the club (which I admit I didn't recognise the first time I watched it). But that was last week, what will they do this week?

Haha Juice Newton was the first player I put in my favourites, then Trengove and Scully. That didn't turn out very well did it! I am a fan of Bont actually!

Perhaps, there is word that the selection committee want to hold him back until the Swans at the G. In which case Spencer could be a very good chance against the Eagles.

That's a few good games in a row for JKH, if anyone under performs in a role that he can fill they'd better watch out. Its sad what's going on with Trenners but he really does seem to be out of luck with getting back into the fold with us. You'd imagine he'll be moved on at years end. I hope we see him at least one more time out on the G in Red and Blue.

I'm trying not to take notice of other results to much, we just need to focus on ourselves. It's a big game this week, a great chance to get on a roll by beating some quality opposition. That said Richmond losing has definitely given us a hand!

Those late North goals are definitely a massive bonus for us (and anyone else in that group). 26,000 is a very poor crowd for two melbourne based teams who are based out of the same ground. But goes to show you we're not the only fans who don't turn out to the joint. I hope plenty of Dees fans do get down to Etihad, make plenty of noise to will the team on!

Actually I'd say there are far worse ruckmen getting regular games at other clubs, but Spencer has had bad luck over the years. This year at VFL level (and in the pre-season) he was actually showing a bit, Gawn went down and Spencer does his shoulder after one and a half games. He has had one game at VFL level returning from injury and was scratchy, we are playing a club that doesn't have a big man ruck so his is the perfect time to play Pederson as he has battled very well in the absence of Spencer and Gawn. I also believe that back when Jamar was with us and he got injured Spencer also copped an injury the same week. Sometimes it's about taking your opportunity, and sometimes it's about the the gods giving you the luck to be able to to take your opportunity. He's a back up ruckman, he plays at VFL level. That's his lot in life.

I feel like people are judging him on one bad performance. He is a very proud man, look out for him this weekend because I would expect him to set himself for a big one.

Just on a different match, I find it incredible that Richmond (on the betting side of things) is going in as the underdog vs Sydney at the MCG. I know pretty much everyone agrees that Richmond aren't as good as their 4th placing has them, and Sydney aren't as bad as they're 14th placing has them, but it just seems completely backwards.